Coal breaker for loading machines



Aug. 12, 1930,

J A. DUVALL COAL BREAKER FOR LOADING MACHINES Filed March 13, 1930 Inventof bfaaohflfizyaa Attorney Patented Aug. 12, 1339 ii a e hearse Parent m rina COAL BREAKER LOADING IVIACHINES Application filed March 13, 1930. Serial N0. 435,508.

This invention relates to a coal breaker for a rack and gear arrangement, a portion only' attachment to loading machines and more particularly to a device of this character which is adapted to be attached for use on various conventional coal loading machines of the type used in strip mines, but it is to be understood that a breaker constructed in accordance with this invention may be utilized in any manner for which the same is found adapted and on any type of machine;

The primary object of the invention is to pro ide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth. a coal breaker of the aforementioned character which is adapted to be expeditiously attached to the shiftable shovel or shovel frame of a coal loading machine in a manner to be I operated by the movement of said shovel or frame for the purpose of loosening and breaking away the coal which--is to be loaded by said machine,

Other objects of the invention are to provide a coal breaker for loading machines of the character set forth which will be simple in construction, strong, durable, eiiicient in its use and which may be manufactured and installed at low cost.

All of the foregoing and still further objects and advantages of the invention may become apparent from a study of the followin specificationtaken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a coal breaker constructed in accordance with this invention in operative position and attached to the loading machine for actuation thereby.

Figure 2 is a view in elevation of the coal breaker detached from the loading machine.

Referring to the drawings in detail. the reference character 1 designates generally a portion of a conventional coal loading machine which comprises a shovel or scoop 2 rigidly mounted in a supporting frame 3 which is mounted to travel longitudinally on a swingable boom 4. As usual, the shovel supporting frame 3 is actuated to move longitudina-lly on the boom 4 through the medium of of which is shown at 5 which designates one of the rack bars mounted on the frame 3. Theframe 3 further includes a plurality of cross beams or braces one of which is shown at 6. As will be apparent the loose coal 7 is loaded into the scoop or shovel 2 by swinging the boom 4 in a manner to dispose said shovel on or adjacent to the ground and then move the same forwardly in a manner to scoop the coal thereinto after which the shovel and supporting frame 3 are retracted as the boom 4 swings outwardly to deposit the coal in the vehicle to be loaded.

The device comprising this invention includes an elongated bar 8 formed preferably of iron and of. suitable length and, diameter. Formed on the opposite end of the bar 8 are the eyes 9 and 10. A threaded eye bolt 11 is engaged through the eye 10 of the bar 8 and constitutes means for anchoring said rod loosely for swinging movement on the cross beam" or brace 6 of the shovel supporting frame 3. It is to be understood that the rod 8 may be secured to any other convenient place on the shovel supporting frame 3 if desired. The eye bolt 11 is projected through a whole (not shown) which is provided therefor in the cross beam or brace 6 and a nut 12 is threaded thereon for anchoring the same in said beam.

As clearly seen in the drawings, the rod 8 extends forwardly from the beam or brace 6 to which it is anchored and has loosely con nected to its forward end through the medium of the eye 9, a link chain 13 to the free end" of which is loosely connected a ring 14 which in turn. is adapted to be loosely disposed over an inclinedpeg or stake 15 which is driven into the ground forwardly of the free end of the boom 4,-as clearly illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawings.

In use, the rod 8 is anchored to the shovel supporting frame 3 and the stake 15 is driven into the coal at the proper position fo wardly of the boom l. When theshovel is driven forward below the loose coal 7 thereinto and has reached its fully loaded or forwardmost position, the ring 14 is disposed over the stake 15. The frame 3 with the shovel 2 thereon is then retracted and the boom 4 swings outwardly to deposit the coal from the shovel 2 into the vehicle to be loaded. This movement of the frame 3 and boom at pulls the stake rearwardly and thus breaks loose the coal into which said stake is positioned. As the stake 15 is pulled rearwardly the ring 14 slips off of the upper end thereof and said stake is left lying loose on the coal. to be picked up by an attendant.

In this manner the coal is loosened in large pieces which constitutes a desirable feature of this invention and this Without the necessity of blasting which constitutes the present method of loosening the coal. It will further be seen that this invention will operate efficiently in places where the coal is submerged in water, a condition which offers considerable difiiculty when the blasting method of loosening the coal is used.

The stake 15 is disposed at an inclination away from the boom 4 and the insertion of the stake in the coal bed is preferably lacilitated by drilling a hole at an inclination in said coal bed into which the stake may be readily inserted.

It is believed that the many advantages o1 a coal breaker constructed in accordance with this invention will be readily understood, and although the preferred embodiment of the invention is as illustrated and described, it is to be understood that changes in the details of construction may be had which will fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

\Vhat is claimed is 1. A coal breaker of the character scribed comprising a pull rod, a stake adapted to be driven into the coal to be bro ten and means :for connecting the rod to the stake in a manner to pull said stake laterally in the coal.

2. A coal breaker of the character de scribed comprising a pull rod. a stake adapted to be driven into the coal to be broken and means for releasably connecting the pull rod to the stake in a manner to pull said stake laterally and uncouple the rod therefrom.

3. A coal breaker of the character described comprising a pull rod a stake adapted to be driven into the coal to be broken and a ring connected to the rod and adapted to be mounted around the stake, said ring constituting means for detachably coupling the rod to the stake in a manner to aid stake to be pulled laterally and release the rod therefrom.

4. A coal breaker of the character described comprising a pull rod a stake adapted to be driven into the coal to be broken. a

pull rod, a ring loosely mounted on the free end of the chain and adapted to be loosely dlsposed over the stake, said chain and the ring constituting means for coupling the pull rod to the stake in a manner to permit said stake to be moved laterally and release the pull rod therefrom.

5. A coal breaker of the character described comprising a pull rod means on one end of the pull rod for securing the same to a drft element, a chain connected to the opposite end of the pull rod, a stake adapted to be driven into the coal to be broken, and a ing mounted on the free end of the chain and adapted to be disposed loosely over the stake in a manner to move said stake laterally up n actuation of the pull rod and release said pull rod therefrom.

6. A coal breaker of ti e character described comprising an elongated pull rod, integral eyes mounted on the opposite end of the pull rod, an eye bolt loosely connected to one of the rod eyes and constituting means for swingably connecting said rod to adraft device, flexible chain loosely connected to the other eye, a stake adapted to be driven into the coal to be broken and a rin loosely mounted on the free end of the chain for disposition over the stake in a manner-to move said stake laterally upon actuation of the pull rod and release said pull rod from the stake.

7. combination with coal loading ma chine having a swingable boom and a shovel supporting frame mounted for longitudinal movement thereon an elongated pull rod, means on one end of the pull rod for anchoring the same to the shovel supporting frame for actuation thereby a flexible chain loosely connected to the opposite end of the pull rod, 21 etc. is adapted to be driven into t lie coal to be broken and a ring loosely mounted on the free end of the chain for disposition over the stake in a manner to move the same laterally upon actuation of the pull rod in one direction by the shovel supporting frame.

In testimony whereof I atlii; my signature.

JACOB ALQl-FZO DUVALL. 

